Epiphany: Thinning is an attempt to correct a planting error

Seed packets often give instructions to sow heavily -- say, 1 per inch-- then thin the plants to the proper distance for the plants to mature -- say, one every 4 inches.   The goal is to compensate for failed seed germination and still attain a full planting area at the optimal spacing that matures at the same time.    I dutifully followed the instructions and sowed heavily back in early Sept.    The results are the picture below, taken on Oct 31 after our first frost of the season.

Lots of plants, which smothered most of the weeds, but individual plants are too close together for optimal development.  So let the thinning begin . . .

But why?   Why not sow each seed at the proper distance for mature plants and just fill in spots with ungerminated seeds?   Let's say there's only a 50% germination rate.   You'll know which seeds don't germinate within 2-3 weeks, so just re-sow seeds that don't germinate and wait another 2-3 weeks.   Rinse and repeat until plants are growing every 4 inches or whatever the proper distance is.  The crop won't mature at the same time, but for home gardeners that's a feature, not a bug.

Goodbye thinning, hello re-sowing!